Billiard-table cushion



-(No Model.)

W. F. DUNN. BILLIARD TABLE GUSHION. No. 562,514.. Patented'June 23, 1896.

rm WW 2 M UNITED STATES? P TENT OFFICE.

IVALLAOE F. DUNN, OF LA PORTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIREOT AND. MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE BRUNSWIOI-BALIE-OOLLENDER. OOM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BlLLlARD-TABLE CUSHION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,514, dated June 23, 1896.

Application filed January 23, 1896. Serial No. 576,497. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, VVALLACE F. DUNN, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Porte, Indiana, have invented certain new grand useful Improvements in Billiard-Table Cushions, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, economical, and efficient cushion par- 10 ticularly adapted for use in connection with billiard-tables and the invention consists in the features and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the figure I 5 shows a transverse section, about full size, of

a billiard cushion and rail embodying my improvements.

In the art to which my invention relates, it is well known that billiard-tables are provided with cushions having a practically sharp edge, such sharp edge being necessary to prevent the balls from jumping the table on striking the cushion. The use of a sharp-edged cushion is, however, objectionable, in that it 2 5 reduces the elastic surface back of the striking-point of the ball, and consequently the movements of the ball are retarded to a considerable extent.

It has been attempted to overcome the obj ections to sharp-edged cushions by rounding the striking-edge and thereby providing a more elastic surface back of the striking-point of the ball. This construction, however, has not been successful or practical owing to the 3 5 fact that the edge of the cushion being rounded the ball is more apt to jump from the table, as when pressed back under the impact of the ball the edge of the cushion is turned slightly upward and the rounded sur- 4o face presented to the ball makes it easier for the ball to jump the table. I have discovered, however, that by making a cushion with a rounded edge and inserting stiffening or reinforcing material back of or adjacent to the 5 rounded edge it overcomes to a considerable extent the tendency of the rounded edge to turn or curl upward under the impact of the ball. This improvement makes a round-edge cushion eminently successful and practical and as such constitutes the principal feature of my invention.

In the accompanying drawing, A. is the cushion-rail; B, the cushion, which is preferably triangular in shape and is secured to the rail in the usual manner.

0 indicates the cloth or covering for the cushion.

D indicates the edge of the cushion, which, as illustrated in the drawing, is rounded in a pronounced manner.

In constructing a billiard-cushion with my improvements, I make a cushion B of the desired form and size and provide it with a pronounced curve or rounded edge D at the point or line on which the billiard-ball impacts. I then insert a strip of practically non-extensible material E in the cushion substantially parallel with its inner face and a short distance therefrom. This piece E is preferably formed of canvas, though I do not desire to be limited to the use of the same, but intend to use any desired stiffening material. This strip of stiffening or reinforcing material is continued, as at F, and is embedded back of or adjacent to the rounded edge, extending preferably backward and upward therefrom, as shown in the drawing, or substantially in the line of compression. The effect of this reinforcing material is such that when the rounded edge is pressed back the reinforcing material overcomes to a great extent the tendency of the rubber to be compressed under the stroke of the ball and also tends to prevent the edge of the cushion from being bent upward, the result being that the full benefit is derived from the rounded edge of the cushion and the ball less liable to jump the table.

While I have described my invention more or less minutely as to details, as being embodied in certain precise forms, I do not desire to be limited thereto unduly any more than is pointed out in the claims. On the contrary, I contemplate all proper changes in form, construction, and arrangement, the omission of immaterial elements, and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or necessity render expedient.

I claim-- 2. In a billiard-table cushion, the combination, with a cushion-strip having an upper front rounded edge, of a face-hardening strip E, having an upper rearwardly-extended portion F; the Whole constructed and arranged to operate in substantially the manner, and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

WVALLACE F. DUNN.

lVitnesses:

W. P. MUSSEY, THos. I. SHERIDAN. 

